Migrating geese

**Kenn** · 08-Oct-10, 18:58

Just had a skein of about 100 go over and last night they were still coming in at 10.00pm, is this normal that they fly after dark?

**dragonfly** · 08-Oct-10, 19:15

I've heard them at all times throught the night Lizz so must be normal for them

**Aussiewicker** · 08-Oct-10, 19:50

heard them going overhead (not high either!), the last few nights... them birds got a long way to go...... Absolutely amazing what they do, migratory wise.

**Kenn** · 11-Oct-10, 22:15

Have just been doing some research as there has been a constant stream of geese coming over the coast here today.
With the high pressure located where it is, it looks like the mass migration from Iceland is well under way.
Distance from north coast of the county to Rekyavik 721 miles in a straight line, the average speed of a migrating goose is 35 MPH although they can go as fast as 6O MPH if they need to although they will also vary their height which can add to the flight time.
This means that they will have been in the air for an average of 20 hrs !

**dafi** · 11-Oct-10, 23:41

Hi Lizz.

If you have a search in here..

http://www.birdforum.net/opus/Birds_Portal

You should be able to find goose sounds so you it might help you identify whats above you at night be it pinkies, greylags, barnacles or even whooper swans

**Kenn** · 12-Oct-10, 00:18

It's mostly Greylags but spotted a few Pink Foot..me neck is aching from looking skywards!

**Scunner** · 12-Oct-10, 10:01

Winter is coming Lizz, expect to see geese by the hundreds over the next months.

**spurtle** · 12-Oct-10, 10:31

Originally Posted by Aussiewicker

heard them going overhead (not high either!), the last few nights... them birds got a long way to go...... Absolutely amazing what they do, migratory wise.

This is why they are so vulnerable to wind farms. No-one has bothered to do any night-time observations when doing pre-scheme reports on bird passage, and in some cases, do not bother observing at the right time of year. Many of our migrants fly at night.